48Accreditation

48 Accreditation

S. 48(1) amended by No. 22/2022 s. 157.

(1) The Secretary may grant accreditation to a person to issue assurance certificates about any plant, plant product, plant vector, used equipment, used package, earth material or beehive that—

(a) is grown, produced, packed, treated or tested in Victoria; or

(b) is to be imported, introduced or brought into Victoria.

(2) A person may apply to the Secretary for accreditation.

(3) The Secretary may—

(a) grant the accreditation applied for or another accreditation; or

(b) refuse accreditation; or

(c) grant accreditation subject to conditions, limitations or restrictions.

(4) If the Secretary is considering refusing to grant accreditation to an applicant, the Secretary must give the applicant a written notice stating—

(a) the proposed refusal; and

(b) the reasons for the proposed refusal; and

(c) that the applicant may make a submission in support of their application.

(5) If, after sending a notice under subsection (4) and considering any further submission made by the applicant, the Secretary decides to refuse the application, the Secretary must give the applicant a written notice stating—

(a) the decision; and

(b) the reasons for the decision; and

(c) that the applicant may apply to VCAT for a final review of the Secretary's decision.